Newtown victim's relatives use social media to demand share of donations

Staff photos by Tom Kelly IV
The memorial setup near the Sandy Hook firehouse, and the entrance road to Sandy Hook Elementary School continues to grow as seen here early Thursday morning December 20, 2012. The sun rises above the trees, illuminating parts of the memorial, as Connecticut State Troopers block of the entrance road to the Sandy Hook Elementary School.

NEWTOWN -- Family members of at least one of those killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings have taken to social media, demanding United Way of Western Connecticut give donated funds to the victims' families.

UWWC has raised about $9.9 million, and a committee was formed to decide what to do with the money. More than two months after the shootings, no plans for the millions have been decided.

Cristina Lafferty-Hassinger, daughter of Sandy Hook Principal and shooting victim Dawn Hochsprung, took to social media Monday and Tuesday expressing her frustrations with UWWC.

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Her Facebook post stated, "The United Way of Western Connecticut gallantly stepped up to manage the influx of donations, but who are they really helping? They offered their trusted name to evoke confidence from eager donors, but more than two months later the victims' families are being asked for proof of hardship before even the smallest disbursement is issued. Proof of hardship?"

Lafferty-Hassinger also wrote on Twitter: "Tell @uwwesternct to give the Sandy Hook fund back to the victims."

UWWC Chief Executive Officer Kim Morgan said Tuesday she wasn't aware of the concerns expressed on social media.

"It has been communicated to all families that no options have even been discussed yet. I am surprised to hear this concern," Morgan said.

She said the "immediate needs funds," established by UWWC may be getting confused with the "Sandy Hook School Support Fund." She added the immediate needs fund requires one-page to be filled out with basic information. Applicants must then submit proof of loss of income bills in order to be paid. Immediate needs include funeral and medical costs.

"These funds are need-based and not limited to the 26 families," she said.

Last week, a press release stated the transition announced the formation of the Newton-Sandy Hook Community Foundation. The new foundation will oversee monetary distribution.

Members of the fund's transition team and town officials reached out to Aurora and Columbine officials in January to learn what was done with their donations.

Morgan added UWWC, the town, and Newtown Savings Bank are now ex-officio members of the board, with no voting rights. The board will meet in the coming days to begin the process of gathering input.

"Nothing has been stated that the families will not receive support, as no decisions have been made and we are only beginning conversations," Morgan said.

Morgan anticipates the foundation will look at family needs, donor intent and the long-term needs of the other families in the community, as well as first responders and teachers.

Lafferty-Hassinger tweeted Tuesday "the United Way says the committee will seek input from victims' families regarding fund distribution. How kind of them, to give us a voice."

After the 1999 Columbine shootings, in which 13 people were killed, the Denver Post reported nearly half of funds raised by the United Way's "Healing Fund" went to the Jefferson Center for Mental Health.

Of the $755,000 given to the Jefferson Center, $425,000 was earmarked to support a free mental health outreach program for students, faculty and staff.

After the July theater shooting in Aurora in which 12 people died at the midnight premiere of "Batman: The Dark Knight Rises," the public donated $5.86 million to the Community First Foundation.

A letter released from the Community First Foundation states the majority of the fund -- $5.3 million -- was distributed to injured victims and the families of those killed.